Batarti Gabbard, the 55-year-old brother of former U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, is currently facing legal trouble following an incident involving children at a Waikiki hotel in Hawaii. According to KITV 4 Island News, authorities arrested and charged him with second-degree custodial interference in connection with an event that took place on the afternoon of July 12, 2026.
The Honolulu Police Department reported that at approximately 2:00 PM, the suspect approached a group of children, which included a 9-year-old boy, at the pool area of a hotel. It’s alleged that he offered the children money and gum to entice them to return to his hotel room with him.
During this interaction, he allegedly asked the children for their names and recorded them in a notebook. KITV 4 noted that the children refused his requests, and he eventually walked away from the area. A 42-year-old woman later reported the incident to the police, leading to an investigation that resulted in his formal charging on Friday, July 17, 2026.
His daily raised concerns about his mental health
Per KITV 4, court records also indicate that the suspect was arrested on Thursday, July 16, for a separate theft offense. He appeared in court on the morning of July 17, where he entered a plea of Not Guilty regarding the theft. While he was released following that hearing, he is scheduled to return to court for the theft case on August 14, 2026. As of now, there is no set court date for the custodial interference charge.
The suspect, who also goes by the name Bhakti Gabbard, is the son of Hawaii State Senator Mike Gabbard and his wife, Carol. In a statement provided to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, the parents addressed the situation and the mental health struggles their son has been experiencing. In a different case, a woman who had a mental break said she was God and allegedly lured a police deputy to an ambush.
“Our oldest son Bhakti has had mental issues in the past but has been doing well for the last 10 years. Several days ago, he started acting erratically, as a result of smoking pot. His wife kicked him out of the house, so he’s been sleeping on the streets. He gave away his car to a homeless person; lost his ID and phone and has no money. He’s renamed himself, Batarti, and also Jim Morrison Jr., as he’s having delusions of being a rock star,” they wrote.
Per the outlet, his parents further explained that a family member transported him to the Queen’s Hospital emergency room on Friday afternoon to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. According to their statement, “Bhakti told the doctor they would find cocaine, ice and pot in his blood tests. And this evening, he was admitted for a 72-hour hold at Queen’s, while they continue to monitor him and decide next steps.”
Additional details regarding the suspect’s recent behavior were revealed in a petition for a protective order filed by his wife, Kimberly Gabbard. According to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and Newsweek, the petition described incidents that occurred on July 11, the day before the Waikiki event.
Kimberly reportedly stated that she feared for her safety, noting that he appeared “gravely disabled” and exhibited “erratic, impulsive and bizarre behavior” while at the Ala Moana Center. She alleged that he disrupted others by singing loudly at the main stage, an event she claimed to have documented with video and photos. In Vermont, a mom’s erratic behavior prompted a call for a wellness check on her children.
In her filing, Kimberly noted that her husband had previously been diagnosed with bipolar disorder with psychotic features and narcissism. She reportedly emphasized that she and his family had “repeatedly encouraged him to seek psychiatric treatment due to his significant deterioration of his mental state and judgment.” While she sought a protective order, a Family Court judge denied the petition on July 17.
The situation remains under close observation as the legal proceedings move forward.
Published: Jul 21, 2026 08:19 am